Funke Akindele’s ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ Becomes the Highest Grossing Nollywood Movie of all Time, with ₦468 million Earning
Omo Ghetto: The Saga, a comedy film by the inspiring actress, Funke Akindele Bello, well known as Jenifa has emerged the highest-grossing Nollywood movie ever, with ₦468 million so far. The movie was released into the cinema on the 25th of December 2020, featuring various Nollywood stars as well as energetic musicians from the Nigerian music industry such as Nancy Isime, Chioma Akpotha, Eniola Badmus, Mercy Aigbe, Yemi Alade, Naira Marley and more.
In a statement by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), the 2020 comedy film has so far grossed ₦468,036,300 specifically, after occupying the highest spot for its third week in a row. With this feat, Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga breaks a four-year record formerly held by Kemi Adetiba’s 2016 comedy film ‘The Wedding Party’. The Wedding Party has been Nollywood’s Highest Grossing Movie with ₦453,000,000.
Funke Akindele’s feat is coming amidst a pandemic that left the Nollywood industry on a pause for several months. Released on Christmas day, Omo Ghetto: The Saga is a sequel to the 2010 ‘Omo Ghetto. Omo Ghetto: The Saga relates the unruly life of Shalewa AKA Lefty (Funke Akindele). The comedy film features Funke Akindele in the dual role of Ayomide and Lefty as well as other prominent actors in the industry like Adebayo Salami, Bimbo Thomas, Tina Mba Deyemi Okanlawon, Zubby Michael, Timini Egbuson, and Alex Ekubo, amongst others.
However, the success of other movies by the talented actress and producer, Funke Akindele have led her to win several awards and recognitions. In 2009, she won Best Actress by Nigeria Entertainment Awards for her comedy series, ‘Jenifa’ and the 2012 Best Actress for Maami, and The Return of Jenifa by Best of Nollywood Awards. In 2016, she was also Best Actress Africa Collaboration for A Trip to Jamaica and 2017 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series. In 2020, Funke was Best Actress in a Comedy for Moms at War, an award by Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards.